Opinions on bumpers

[tbh2004]

My son purchased an 02 TJ and he and I are slowly working on it. It came with RC 3" lift and 33" tires. I have already learned that I need to switch out the RC shocks for some Rancho's. (Thanks to Chris and the rest of you for that info....these things ride like a tank.) Now he wants to change the bumpers from the originals. He is looking at bumpers like this one.

I trust this group's opinion. I am seeing these things anywhere from $280 all the way up to $1000. He is not planning to do any serious off road trips but maybe some easy trail riding. What is the consensus as to what companies to stay away from and which to look at?

Greatly appreciate the help.

 

[toximus]

Now he wants to change the bumpers from the originals.

He is not planning to do any serious off road trips but maybe some easy trail riding.

Just choose whatever looks good to you/him and within the budget. Plan on having it sandblasted and powder coated if the finish doesn't last.

Aluminum is about the only way to keep the Jeep light. In my experience heavy bumpers just end up making Jeeps into pigs.

 

[Airjunky]

I have something similar. It came with the Jeep but is probably close to what I would have bought on my own. I think it's a Shittybuilt brand. I only say that because the powdercoat was terrible & it had a ton of surface rust on it when I bought the Jeep. So one weekend I pulled it off, stripped it & resprayed it with Duplicolor's Bed Armor bedliner from O'Reilly's. It's pretty tough & the day I scrape it up on a tree, I'll easily be able to respray it & match pretty well. There is plenty of room for a winch, lights, store a jack, your tow points, etc.

 

[jjvw]

Keep the bumpers small and light.

The one shown has become the generic Jeep bumper. Everyone and their cousin seems to have the same one in their efforts to express their uniqueness.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

Everyone and their cousin seems to have the same one in their efforts to express their uniqueness.

Back in the 70s I heard somebody refer to blue jeans as the uniform of the nonconformist army.

However I agree to that about this bumper. I have one from Olympic, along with a brush guard. Good front end protection without being In Your Face.

 

[tworley]

Or you can save money and use your own! Checks the box for small and light.

 

[Plumber1]

I am running a Bestop Bumper, not very heavy and I like the way the side raise up it allows for extra clearance on the trails from rocks. A lot of guys are running the Savvy Alum stuff and very good. It really a lot of personal choice.

 

[TJR238]

This bumper was the first thing I bought when I got my TJ because I liked the way it looked. After 4 years it was turning to solid rust. I could have put a couple of days into restoring it but decided the $300 I paid was already more than it was worth.

I’ve learned that quality is cheaper in the long run.

 

[Steel City 06]

I bought a similar one from Rock Hard 4x4:

It’s rather heavy at 70 lbs but I wanted something that would help prevent fender damage.

It also comes with a front hitch receiver, which is very useful for a lot of situations. It can be used for a removable winch, an extra tow point, a cargo carrier, fishing rod carrier, or even to push a trailer into a really tight spot:

I have seen Rock Hard 4x4 claim they will weld a receiver on most of their bumpers upon request.

 

[Tray Burge]

This bumper was the first thing I bought when I got my TJ because I liked the way it looked. After 4 years it was turning to solid rust. I could have put a couple of days into restoring it but decided the $300 I paid was already more than it was worth.

I’ve learned that quality is cheaper in the long run.
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I have to replace my bumper and I like that stubby you have. What brand is it and is it steel or aluminum?

 

[Chris]

How about $189?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IS93BCE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[TJR238]

I have to replace my bumper and I like that stubby you have. What brand is it and is it steel or aluminum?

It’s the Savvy. The bumper and fairlead mount are aluminum and the winch guard is steel.

 

[Equilibrium31]

Two things to be careful of with a bumper like this:

1) Bigger bumpers like this will add more weight, so you may get some sag in the front end that could be worth addressing. If so, it's relatively cheap fix by just adding some spacers under your springs.

2) As Toximus pointed out, you will want to consider re-doing the coating yourself, especially if you get a relatively budget-priced bumper.

But if your son isn't planning on off-roading, there's not a ton of reason for making the swap unless it's just for looks. If so, just be aware that front end sag and rust may be something additional to prevent.

 

[duncanator]

The previous owner of my Jeep installed JCR rock sliders as well as JCR front and rear bumpers. They look ok, but I would have preferred that it had been left with the factory bumpers. Because the rock sliders required holes to be drilled, I will probably keep them, but I'm thinking of ditching the front and rear JCR's and locating a nice set of OEM bumpers. We'll see though as I'm in no rush...

 

[Cornbread]

Personally I'm a fan of the stock bumper with the jugs removed. Chopped down like @tworley has is nice also. I just don't see a benefit to the aftermarket bumpers other than making my wallet lighter.

 

[billiebob]

The only thing that really matters is weight. The more metal, bulkier it is the heavier it will be. I'd stick with the brand names like Warn, ARB, Olympic, Bestop and buy the lightest on you can find. But nothing is lighter than the stock bumper with a winch plate.

Aluminium is a great, light, rustfree choice too.

 

[Starrs]

This bumper was the first thing I bought when I got my TJ because I liked the way it looked. After 4 years it was turning to solid rust. I could have put a couple of days into restoring it but decided the $300 I paid was already more than it was worth.

I’ve learned that quality is cheaper in the long run.
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Savvy looks great

 

[Long Rider]

Please, for the love of God. Save up and buy something made in the USA or at least a nation with a democratically elected government. China is straight up evil. What else would you call a nation that puts minorities in concentration camps, types and crosses the blood, and harvests their organs? These f**ckers are bent on world domination and will do it with our money.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Anyone rocking the EAG/Smittybilt SRC rear bumpers or front bumpers (gen 1)? Curious if I should expect sag on the front. I won't be adding a winch anytime soon and if I do the math, I'm adding ~75 lbs front and ~75 lbs in back but also losing 20-25 pounds for each of the stock bumpers. I gotta think the net gain of 50 lbs isn't enough to majorly sag the front or back?

I'm running the Moog 3227/3226 springs which are supposed to be ("supposed") rated for a little heavier loads I think (i.e. 4.0)

 

[Chris]

For what it's worth, there is no finer bumper than the Savvy bumper. Aluminum, minimalist, weighs less than 10 lbs. from what I can tell, and it looks damn good too!